This post is sponsored by Airbnb, but as always, all opinions are our own. This post also contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you if you click on one of the product links, we may earn a commission.

Traveling overseas in the foreseeable future has changed for many of us, but it certainly hasn’t changed our desire to continue to connect and explore outside of our homes. By now, we’re pretty sure many of you have heard of Airbnb, but did you know they provide more than unique vacation rentals? Airbnb also offers one-of-a-kind experiences both locally and online. 

Airbnb Places To Stay

We have stayed at countless Airbnb rentals both in the US and internationally because of the variety of options available. When we need accommodation that fulfills more than your average hotel, we start exploring on Airbnb. Airbnb rentals can give you extra options like space, charm, and local travel tips from hosts.

Now is a great time to discover new destinations nearby whether it be for a weekend getaway, work, or simply to relax. One of our recent stays at an Airbnb was inside Yosemite National Park and it was a fantastic location for a group of six. Not only is Airbnb great if you’re traveling with family or friends, but there are several other reasons why we may choose Airbnb over a traditional hotel, such as having a kitchen or laundry room.

Of course, many people are still wary of traveling because of the pandemic and Airbnb takes this very seriously, which is why they launched the Enhanced Cleaning Initiative. This initiative ensures a standardized protocol for cleaning and sanitization developed with guidance from experts in hospitality and medical hygiene.

Airbnb also requires all hosts and guests to commit to COVID-19 safety practices including wearing face masks and practicing social distancing when interacting with each other. All hosts must also commit to implementing Airbnb's five-step enhanced cleaning process.

Airbnb Experience

When Airbnb Experience launched in 2016, we were a little confused about what exactly an Airbnb Experience was. It was being advertised as a unique and memorable experience that was thoughtfully designed by a local host that delivered a different way to explore a destination. 

We weren’t initially 100% drawn to the idea that went beyond typical tours or workshops, but when Crystal discovered a unique tour called, “Photoshoot in Barcelona Secret Corners,” she decided to give it a try. Why? Well, there were a couple of reasons why she decided to give it a go. One, she wanted memorable photos of herself in a beautiful city, and hiring a personal photographer was the perfect solution at a reasonable price. Two, she prefers tours that are in smaller groups and this tour only allowed up to six people. The photo shoot turned out to be the perfect experience as there was only one other person on the tour, so it was very intimate, just like she wanted.

The experience was very memorable and since then, we have booked several Airbnb Experiences. We almost always book a photography tour and additionally book small group tours to learn more about a new city. Since most of the tours with Airbnb Experiences are small, you’ll most likely make new friends as well, which is exactly what happened when Crystal went on the Amazing Prague Tour.

There are many more unique options to choose from as well, such as a sailboat sunset tour, backcountry camping, or yoga with goats.
 

Airbnb Online Experience

The Airbnb Online Experience is something new and one that we have yet to try; however, we are intrigued by the idea of an online experience from the comfort of our home. Prices per experience start at $7 and when we took a look at what type of online experiences were out there, we quickly found some fascinating interactive hosts. For example, we discovered a “Family Magic Show and Magic Lesson in Japan” and an online experience called, “Follow a Plague Doctor Through Prague”. Both experiences are under $30 and have fantastic ratings. 

If you want to splurge a little on an online Field Trip, they have a collection of experiences hosted by celebrities like Olivia Wilde’s “Socially Conscious Storytime” or teen activist Marley Dias’ “How To Be A Social Problem Solver”. 

There is a high probability that we’ll be trying one of these online experiences soon as winter is quickly approaching and we’ll be cooped up indoors trying our best to stay safe. 

Even amongst today’s unusual landscape, we can find an array of ways to escape the mundane and experience something new and compelling.